DRUIDISM IN NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7227, 29 April 1884, Page 5

DRUIDISM IN NEW ZEALAND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —A quotation from " Leah," where Nathan the Jew is denounced as an apostate, might, with slight variations, be aptly applied to a namesake of his at Alford Forest, for a more direct violation of Druidic principles was never better exemplified than by the conduct of S. D. Nathan in recent events, and his attacks on the Bishop Brothel's re the Grand Lodge question. Mr Nathan's statements are pure fabrications of a brain evidently impaired by over seclusion in the " wilds of Alford Forest." In attempting to deal with supposed facts, he displays gross ignorance not creditable to him as the " cut and dried" holder in the future of the muchcoveted title of Grand Secretary. No wonder he dreads a newspaper controversy, especially as the whole of his remarks at the " Meeting of Druids," and in subsequent correspondence, are, as he is perfectly well aware, a tissue of misrepresentation and untruths. In your issue of April 24. Mr Nathan rerepeats a number of misstatements, which kindly allow me space to answer. First, 'I give an emphatic denial that I was sent over to Melbourne to support a petition for a Grand Lodge for New Zealand. On the contrary, as I stated in a previous letter, corroborated by Mr Howden, the secretary of the Wellington Lodge, the whole of the North Island Lodges were unanimous in their condemnation of the conduct of Messrs Nathan, Skinner, Taylor and Co. in endeavouring to disturb the existing harmonious relations with the Grand Lodge of Australia. Secondly, my expenses were not paid, as my own private|[purse sufficiently testifies. In conclusion, I regret that, owing partly to my action at the Grand Lodge meeting, the neatly arranged " put up job" to secure to Mr Nathan a highly remunerative position, and his coadjutors important offices - of trust, did not eventuate; still I would advise them to " hope on," and perhaps in the " sweet by-and-bye," their fancies will be fully realised, but not with the support and countenance of the North Island Lodges, over whose destinies I have at present the honour to preside.—l am, &c, WALTER K. BISHOP, Grand Lodge Representative for North Island, TJ.A.O.D. Christchurch, April 26.